European Commission Announces Corona Period Travel Rules

The European Commission has announced a series of rules that will make travel safe after the Corona virus mitigation practices come into effect in many countries. The aim of the regulations is to revive the aviation industry, which has come to a halt due to tourism and the epidemic.

GENERAL RULES

• Passengers will be encouraged to buy their tickets online, make seat reservations and check in online.
• Passengers will wear masks, especially in areas where physical distance rules cannot be fully observed. They do not have to be medical masks.
• At the points where security checks are made, physical distance rules will be applied when leaving and taking luggage.
• Passenger queues will be kept separate from the port, airport, train station, bus station, ferry port and public transportation centers.
• Benches and tables that may lead to crowds in transportation centers will be removed or arranged according to distance rules.
• Fewer passengers will be taken to buses, trains and ferries. Passengers who are not from the same family will be able to sit apart.
• Transportation sector employees will use sufficient protective material.
• In these places, cleaning materials and disinfectant gels will be available.
• Vehicles will be cleaned regularly.
• Food and beverages will not be sold in the vehicles.

Duty free shops and other stores will restrict passenger movements and limit the number of customers with signs placed on the ground. More cleaning will be done in these places. Barriers will be set up at payment points and other measures will be taken.

Contact tracking and warning measures can be implemented on a voluntary basis on mobile devices. These applications will be made to operate beyond borders.

AIR TRANSPORTATION

• Authorities will announce protocols on this issue in the next few weeks.
• Ventilation will be reinforced with hospital air filters and vertical airflow.
• Less baggage and less contact with cabin crews will be ensured.
• The passenger flow will be arranged by ensuring that passengers arrive at the airports earlier. By using electronic check-in tools, the contact experienced during check-in, security and border checkpoints and during boarding of passengers will be reduced.
• If possible, ordering food and other services will be made online at the time of booking.

HIGHWAY TRANSPORT

• Hygiene standards will be kept high in terminals, motorway recreation, parking, gasoline and charging areas.
• The passenger flow at the stations will be regulated.
• In cases where public health is not adequately monitored, it may be possible to shut down some stops and stations.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

• Passengers will be provided to board the bus through the back door.
• Windows will be used instead of central ventilation.
• Families will sit separately if they are not traveling together.
• Where possible, passengers will pack their own luggage.

RAILWAY TRANSPORTATION

• The frequency and capacity of trains will be increased to reduce passenger density.
• Railway businesses will make seat reservations mandatory on long-distance travels and suburban flights.
• For short-distance travel, passengers will leave empty seats between them. People from the same family will not be included in this application.
• Railway companies will use the passenger counting system to control capacity in city trains.
• Regulations will be introduced to the flow of passengers at stations and stops to guarantee public health, and if this is not possible, these stops may be closed.
• With applications such as discounted prices and flexible watches, traveling during the hours with low passenger density will be encouraged.
• The doors will be opened automatically at each stop or by the driver by remote control.

Source: American